11 Oct 2010

Innovative Materials Use in the Watch

Watches Review Center Report: Innovation is the subject of watches and clocks, the escapement device in the re-design at the same appearance, relating to the use of new materials industry is a hot watch. People will remember the Patek Philippe 2005, to launch handsets by the sub escape wheel silicon devices, which for the effects of temperature and other factors speed escapement body is undoubtedly a new direction, and whether the new material can replace conventional materials is increasingly valued by watchmakers.

Patek Philippe's silicon hairspring

In 2006, Patek Philippe, demonstrated another remarkable innovation - made of a silicon material to Silinvar Spiromax hairspring balance wheel, this is the time of mechanical watches, the epoch-making leap. In fact, both for the kind of vibration mode, etc. of all the key measure of the precision timing instruments. The more regular vibration, the more accurate the rate of movement. If the shock can reach the ultimate perfection, when the state has become so.

Spiromax is a balance spring balance spring to innovative materials refined silicon, the material from the Patek Philippe, the two Swiss watch manufacturers and one of the leading research institutes, was developed. However, only material balance spring can not overcome the problem of uneven retractable end, Patek Philippe designs based on research at the end of an innovative "curve" design. This to "Patek Philippe terminal curve" after the patented design obvious thickening of the outer end of the balance spring, balance spring driven Spiromax concentric exercise, the vibration in the horizontal plane laws are the same center over the expansion, contraction . As the "end of Patek Philippe curve" in the same motion plane, Spiromax balance spring to reduce space occupied by the first mate, Bifeilipu or more gossamer thin, only the third movement of the components with ultra-thin to a great convenience.

Spiromax balance spring also has a number of design features, such as: balance spring with a custom center piece center pole base balance wheel, the outer end of the piece is a unique short bolt, can accurately define the balance spring effective length. Innovative Spiromax balance spring, Patek Philippe has created a number of unique advantages of the shock device. Spiromax has the ideal balance spring effective length of movement without cumbersome debugging, if not the end of curve, but also to achieve the perfect vibrating movement, extraordinary design, etc. to have a superior nature, independent of temperature, movement tendency or magnetic fields. Patek Philippe terminal curve, self-centering base and connecting rods are all a short piece of Patek Philippe original design, and has applied for patent registration.

Ulysse Nardin diamond escapement springs institutions

Also keen to speed escapement device materials and innovative Ulysse Nardin (Athens) watch factory, and his R & D personnel focus upon researching the world's most accurate rigid material - diamond. And Germany in the production of ultra-thin diamond chips cooperation of experts, Athens was finally able to form R & D team to the planet's most hard drive the hearts of the diamond to produce the most important watch escapement and balance spring.


Because the hardness of the diamond itself, unparalleled, and it gets to the escapement parts that are used must be changed to the diamond material to reduce wear and tear each other in the same time, the running gear between the diamond will be produced for less wear, while enhancing the operation of the escapement to do performance. Diamond wheel escapement appeared naturally out of excellent performance, the latest technology, special ingredients such diamonds, but also can provide the best flexibility gossamer parts will not be as external hot or cold affected, because the stability of the diamond itself of daily temperature changes will not cause the error rate increases, and can be corrosion resistant. However, due to the high cost, the use of diamond hairspring escapement agencies have not yet entered commercial stage.

In fact, Athens escapement watch factory is a pioneer in using new materials, as early as the end of 2001 played in Athens, Dr. Ludwig Oechslin designed gossamer silicon devices. In 2006, in Athens to celebrate the 160 anniversary of the establishment Anniversary 160 watch, has become the first use of nickel-phosphorous watch escapement. Because this form UN-160 double escapement, different from the traditional tile-type escapement fork, bear the brunt of the problem is the weight increase, without increasing the power supply in the premise, how to reduce the weight of this table will become to face the problem. Therefore, the semiconductor industry used to make reference to Athens, the structure of the profound power of micro mold manufacturing technology of optical lithography technology to manufacture and phosphorous nickel-plating etched into the hollow escape wheel, which is totally consistent with two-way escape wheel "light" demand power to achieve a smoother and more precise operation of the target.

Quite a lot of alternative innovation

In addition to a large watch factory in the material aspects of innovation, a number of small watch factory and independent watchmakers are also relying on their own resources to the research and development. H. Moser & Cie watch factory will be a special escapement devices and materials used in the machine in mind, such as: migraine W Fork escapement pocket watch to be used in early English pattern, and escapement fork and escape wheel in order to prevent the magnetic field interference, have adopted the gold material. The balance wheel screws on the use of the traditional model, which play a role in weight screw compensation selected platinum production, not only enhance the balance wheel balance, but also to prevent the magnetic field influence on the governor institutions.

Independent watchmaker Kari Voutilainen Masterpiece Chronograph is the world made use of new materials Carbontime first balance wheel watch. There are many aspects of this balance of material innovation, which is a single strand of Mono filament Carbon Fiber manufactured hollow balance wheel instead of the traditional style, instead of using a transparent ceramic plate, also in the balance installed on a tantalum plate of Tantalum-Gold compensation screws, these materials together make Carbontime balance wheel has the advantages of magnetic and non-temperature, especially over traditional copper beryllium alloy has better isochronous.


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